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His finger went to under her chin and stroked. "Look at me, Nora." She obeyed and he continued, "You deserve the fucking stars, if that's what you want. Or a million of those ridiculous bird hats. Hell, even as much ice cream as you can eat for the rest of your life. What I'm trying to say is—don't let the assholes and bitches like the one from today try to say you aren't worth as much as others. You are. Even if I haven't known you long, I still understand how sweet and generous and kind you are. Not to mention sexy as hell, by the way."
Her cheeks burned but she didn't look away. "I think everyone else would disagree with you."
Anger flickered in his eyes. "It doesn't matter what the fuck other people think, Nora. If we're to do this, marry and see where it goes, then all that matters is what's between you and me. Everyone else can go fuck themselves. Well, maybe except for our families, as I do love my sisters and you love your brothers and son. But everyone else? They mean nothing."
Nora almost wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. River was too bloody perfect to be real.
Focusing on what he'd said, she replied, "Believe me, I've tried not to care." She paused, looked down, and played with one of the buttons on his waistcoat. "But it's difficult because of who my brother is."
"Yet another reason for us to live in the fae witch territory then, huh?"
"But they hate vampires."
He caressed her cheek and she looked up again. "Dark Lord Khan himself was the one to suggest we move there and how it could be good for you. Female vampires are less scary, or some shit like that, and he said it should be fine. I know fae witches can lie, but he's a pretty powerful motherfucker, from what I've heard. And if he's on our side? I take that as a good sign."
"Maybe."
He moved his finger to her bottom lip and lightly stroked it. Nora's heart skipped a beat and the strange fluttering started again low in her belly. "There's only one thing I want to clear up before I ask for your final answer, okay?" She nodded and he asked, "Will you at least try for more intimacy with me one day, beyond just kissing?"
Her heart rate skipped up, although from fear or anticipation, she couldn't tell. "I already have to do so for the claiming."
He nodded. "I know. But give me a chance to ease you into it, show you how it can feel so fucking good you want it all the time. Maybe after the claiming you can grade me, like a test or something, and if it's more enjoyable than scary, you'll let me keep persuading you to share my bed."
She wanted to shout yes. But of course her memories of being held down and forced were too strong to blindly jump into anything. "Tell me a bit more about how it's not painful. Because I don't understand it."
He brushed a few strands of hair off her cheek, moved his hand down her neck, and lightly stroked the skin at the base. With each pass of his fingers, her heart rate kicked up.
He asked, "How does my touch make you feel right now?"
"I-I don't know. Warm?"
River kissed her lips gently and whispered, "And that?"
Her heart pounded so hard she was sure he could hear it. "Even warmer. And somewhat like there are butterflies in my belly."
He moved to kiss her cheek and then lightly nibbled her ear. Nora groaned and leaned against River as he asked another question. "And now? Do you feel it even lower?"
Her cheeks heated at his words, but he was right—she was warm between her thighs too. "Yes."
"Will you let me press my leg against you briefly?"
She had no idea what he intended to do, but she trusted him. "All right."
He shifted and his leg went between her legs and pressed. At the contact, a jolt of pleasure shot through her and she had to cling to his arms to remain upright. "Wh-what was that?"
As he nuzzled her cheek, his breath danced across her ear. "That, my sweet vampire, was the beginnings of a dance, one that would eventually make you cry out in pleasure as you came."
She'd heard a few females mention such pleasures in the ladies' section of Leo's gaming hell, but Nora had usually walked away before hearing the details.
Because she'd never once felt that way with a male before. "Is that what you meant when you said it doesn't have to hurt?"
He pressed once more and she bit her bottom lip, still trying to understand why the pressure felt so bloody good.
His lips brushed her cheek. "Yes. A true male will always ensure his female feels good before and during sex. Any guy who doesn't is an asshole who should have his balls cut off." He gently pushed her back until he could meet her gaze again. "I won't go any further today. But maybe it's enough for you to give me a chance at showing you how being with me—fucking me, as I'd usually say without thinking—is something you crave rather than fear."
Nora's entire body was hot—River's coarse terms did something to her—and it was hard to concentrate on anything except the persistent throbbing between her thighs. But she did her best to focus. She needed to be rational about this. Marriage was a big enough upheaval, but moving away from the comfort of her brothers? Even her own kind?
And what if he came to regret her, despise her, or generally wish he'd never offered for her?
